Convertible baby walker and gym

ABSTRACT

A convertible baby walker and baby gym comprising a pair of spaced-apart side frames supported on wheels. A cross-piece extends between the side frames and is extensible to adjust the spacing between the frames. The cross-piece is elevated above the side frames and serves to suspend playthings when the apparatus is in the baby gym configuration. The cross-piece is repositioned to extend adjacent a forward pair of wheels associated with the side frames to brace the side frames when the apparatus is in the baby walker configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for use by babies and youngchildren as either a baby walker or a baby gym.

2. History of Related Art

A baby walker is known which comprises a wheeled frame on which a childmay support itself in an upright position during the early walkingphase. An example of such a baby walker disclosed in British patentspecification No. 2211429A comprises a support structure including apair of spaced-apart side frames and a transversely extendingcross-piece, support wheels being mounted on the side frames. Thecross-piece serves to brace the side frames. A handle bar supported bystiles projecting vertically upwards from the side frames extendsparallel to the cross-piece. The cross-piece is necessarily located at alow level to ensure that no play can take place between the side framesand the handle bar and render the baby walker unstable. A baby gym isalso known which includes a horizontal bar from which various playthingsmay be suspended. To use a baby gym, a baby is laid on its back beneaththe bar. GB 2211429A discloses the possibility of mounting an activitycentre on the cross-piece of a baby walker for the amusement of a childcapable of sitting in front of the baby walker. However, the cross-pieceis located at too low a level for there to be any possibility of theactivity centre being used by a baby lying on the floor.

A baby gym may be used from soon after birth but begins to lose itsvalue when the baby starts to crawl or walk. At this stage a baby walkeris found useful. Both products must be of rugged construction for safetyreasons and are relatively expensive. A saving in cost to the consumermay therefore be achieved by an apparatus which combines both functions.A problem, however, is that the need to provide a cross-piece to bracethe side frames at a relatively low level makes it impracticable for ababy walker to be used without modification as a baby gym. Anotherproblem is that a baby gym is normally required to be wider than a babywalker. A further problem is that a baby gym needs to be immobilisedwhen in use to prevent it moving away from the baby using it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has for its object the provision of an apparatuscapable of being used to support a child learning to walk and,alternatively, to suspend playthings for the amusement of a baby who hasnot yet started to walk and is incapable of sitting. Apparatus to bedescribed herein in greater detail, and in accordance with theinvention, comprises a support structure including a pair ofspaced-apart side frames and a transversely extending cross-piece.Support wheels are mounted on the side frames to enable the apparatus tobe moved across the floor when the apparatus is in use as a baby walker.When the apparatus is to be used as a baby gym, the wheels areimmobilized and the cross-piece positioned in an upper position to allowa baby to lie on the floor beneath the cross-piece. Playthings may besupported on or suspended from the cross-piece to amuse the baby.Although the wheels may be removed or immobilized by brakes, it ispreferred to lift the wheels from floor-engaging contact when theapparatus is in use as a baby gym. To this end, the side frames may becaused to tilt when the cross-piece is in its upper position in order tobring feet on the side frames into contact with the ground. When theapparatus is to be used as a baby walker, the cross-piece may berepositioned at a lower level to brace the side frames and increase theoverall sturdiness of the apparatus. In accordance with a second aspectof the invention, the cross-piece is telescopically extensible to allowthe apparatus to be made narrower when used as a baby walker and widerwhen used as a baby gym. When extended, the cross-piece causes theframes to tilt as mentioned above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of apparatus in accordance with the invention will now bedescribed by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in its firstconfiguration as a baby gym;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in its secondconfiguration as a baby walker,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus when in its first configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, apparatus in accordance with the inventioncomprises a pair of spaced-apart side frames 1 of generally trilobularshape. Mounted for rotation on the outer side of the lower lobes 11 ofeach side frame are two floor engaging wheels 2a and 2b.

Pivoted to the inner side of each side-frame at a level above the wheelsis a respective one of two support arms 3. A cross-piece 4 extendsbetween the ends of the support arms remote from the pivot axis.

When the apparatus is to be used in its configuration as a baby gym, asshown in FIG. 1, the support arms 3 are arranged to extend verticallyupwards as shown in FIG. 1 so that the cross-piece 4 occupies an upperposition, elevated above the side frames. With the apparatus soarranged, the side frames occupy positions in which they are tiltedinwards and abutment portions or feet 12 projecting from the lower lobesengage the ground and lift the wheels above it, as more clearly shown inFIG. 4. This arrangement also gives the structure greater stability.Playthings 6 intended to amuse the baby may be supported on or suspendedfrom the cross-piece, which is provided with eyes 46, 47 for thispurpose. Although the cross-piece is arranged at a level high enough toallow a baby to lie beneath the cross-bar, a baby may of course sit infront of the apparatus in this mode of use when it becomes capable ofdoing so.

When the apparatus is in its second configuration, i.e. as a babywalker, shown in FIG. 2, the arms 3 are arranged to extend obliquelydownwards from their pivot axis so that the cross-piece occupies a lowerposition forwardly of a vertical centre plane through the side framesand preferably extending axially of and between the forward wheels 2a. Atray 7 is rigidly mounted between the frames when the apparatus is inthis configuration and has a handle bar 8 on which a young child maysupport itself when using the apparatus as a baby walker. The tray has arecess which may be used to receive a plate 9 on which an activitycentre or playthings are mounted.

The cross-piece 4 is of telescopic construction so that it may beshortened to reduce the inter-frame spacing when the apparatus is to beused as a baby-walker, or lengthened when it is to be used as a babygym.

The construction of the apparatus will now be described in more detail.Referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that each of the wheels 2a and 2bis journalled on a spigot 21 protruding from a boss 22 within a recess23 in the outer side of the respective lower lobe of the frame.

Each upper lobe 13 is formed with an internal, vertically extending slot75 opening to its upper side. A screw 71 having an enlarged head passesthrough a bore 72 opening into the slot 75. In the baby walkerconfiguration, the screws 71 are screwed into threaded inserts 73 whichinterlock with and retain the tray 7 between the side frames. The handle8 is secured by screws, not shown, to the rear side of the tray or,alternatively, may be moulded in one piece with the tray. Arranged oneach side frame below the bore 72 is a pivot pin 74 for a pivot 31 forone end of a respective one of the arms 3. The pivot 31 serves as auniversal joint to allow the arm 3 to rotate about the axis of the pin74 and to adjust in a plane perpendicular to that of the side frame. Theother end of each arm 3 is integral with one of two aligned tubes 41which receive a core 42. An outer drum 43 formed from twointer-connected semi-cylindrical shells 44 surrounds the aligned tubes41.

Each end of the core 42 is formed with a male fitting 45 having arectangular head and narrower neck and capable of being passed through arectangular opening 46 into the boss from which spigot 21 projects. Thefittings 45 and openings 46 are so shaped as to enable the core tointerlock with the frames upon being rotated through 90°, and to bereleasable therefrom when twisted back into its initial position.

During conversion of the apparatus from the baby gym configuration toits baby walker configuration, the frames are pushed towards each other,causing the tubes to telescope within the drum 43 until the ends of thetubes 41 abut, as shown in FIG. 3. The male fittings 45 are insertedinto the openings at the end of this action and twisted to interlock thecross-piece with the side frames. Locking ribs 46 within the drum 43 areengagable with the tubes 41 when the apparatus is in the baby walkerconfiguration to maintain the end of the tubes juxtaposed to each other.The cross-piece is thereby aligned with the leading wheels 2a andprovides the child with adequate leg room between the side frames.

To convert the apparatus into its baby gym configuration, the screws 71are withdrawn to release the tray 7, which is removed. The arms 3 arerotated into vertically upwardly extending positions, so as to engagewithin the slots 75 in the side frames. The screws 71 are thenreinserted into the bores 72 and screwed into bores 32 in the arms 3 tosecure the arms in their generally upright positions. The slots 75define abutment surraces which are so configured that the arms are heldat an inclination to the planes of the side frames, as shown in FIG. 4.The effect is to position the side frames at a desired inclination tothe vertical, whereby the frames are supported on feet 12 with thewheels lifted clear of the floor. Moreover, because the frames areinclined towards each other, the stability of the apparatus isincreased.

During conversion into the baby gym configuration, drum 43 is rotatedinto a position to cause eyes 46, 47 on the drum to face downwards.Hooks for suspending playthings 6 for the amusement of the baby may beremovably fitted to the eyes.

By removing the plate 9 from the tray 7, the baby walker may be used asa pushchair or trolley by an older child. The tray, separated from theapparatus, may be used as an activity table, and the playthings on thesupport plate may be used separately from the tray.

To provide the overall apparatus with a more attractive appearance,openings 14 in the side frames may receive further amusement devices 15,and hub caps may be snap fitted into openings in the wheels. Asillustrated, the hub caps are eccentric to the wheels. Substantially allof the parts of the apparatus may be moulded from plastics. Metal may beused for certain screws or where otherwise desirable.

Modifications may be made to the apparatus. For example, it is notessential for the cross-piece to align with the axis of the wheels whenthe apparatus is in the baby walker configuration. The cross-bar must,of course, be located where it will not obstruct the child's legs andwill serve to brace the side frames and prevent play between the variousparts of the apparatus which could lead to instability when in use.Separate means may be provided for braking the wheels or engaging thefloor in the baby gym configuration instead of tilting the side framesto cause integral feet to engage the floor. The handle bar 4 may besecured direct to the side frames, with or without the use of a separatetray 7.

Instead of the cross-piece being movable pivotally from one position toanother, it may be removed entirely and refixed. The cross-piece may belengthened using a separate extension piece, or pieces, when convertinginto the baby gym configuration, instead of using a telescopiccross-piece.

In an alternative form or apparatus, the side frames may beinterconnected by an adjustable telescopic cross-piece which serves as ahandle in the babywalker configuration and for supporting playthings inthe baby gym configuration. Such a cross-piece may be slidablyadjustable in height. A second cross-piece may be adjustably ordetachably secured between the side frames to brace the same in the babywalker configuration. Although it is preferred for all of the wheels tobe mounted on the side frames, it falls within the scope of theinvention for each side frame to be provided with but a single wheel,and for one or more forward wheels to be carried by the cross-piece.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for use by babies and young childrenalternately as a baby gym and baby walker, the apparatus comprising:asupport structure including a pair of spaced-apart side frames havingwheels mounted thereon, a transversely extending cross-piece mounted onarms movable about a pivot axis to position said cross-piece alternatelyin an upper and a lower position, means for securing said cross-piece ineach of said upper and lower positions relative to said side frames,said arms extending generally upwards when said cross-piece is in saidupper position whereby said cross-piece is supported above said sideframes, said arms extending obliquely downwards when said cross-piece isin said lower position, whereby said cross-piece is positioned forwardlyof a vertical center plane taken between and generally perpendicular tosaid side frames, and said cross-piece bracing said side frames in saidlower position.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising means to prevent the apparatus from moving on said wheelswhen said cross-piece is in said upper position.
 3. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said means to prevent the apparatus frommoving includes abutment portions extending from said side frames forengagement with a surface on which the apparatus is supported to preventthe apparatus from moving on said wheels when said cross-piece is insaid upper position.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid cross-piece causes said side frames to tilt to engage said abutmentportions with a surface on which the apparatus is supported when saidcross-piece is in said upper position.
 5. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said cross-piece extends generally co-axially with aforward pair of said wheels when said cross-piece is in said lowerposition.
 6. An apparatus for use by babies and young childrenalternately as a baby gym and as a baby walker, the apparatuscomprising:a support structure including a pair of spaced-apart sideframes, a transversely extending cross-piece, means supporting saidcross-piece relative to said side frames, said means for supportingbeing movable to position said cross-piece in alternate upper and lowerpositions, wheels mounted on the side frames, the apparatus being usableas a baby gym when said cross-piece is in said upper position and as ababy walker when said cross-piece is in said lower position, said sideframes including abutment portions, means for causing said side framesto incline when said cross-piece is in said upper position to therebycause said abutment portions to engage a surface and said wheels todisengage the surface.
 7. An apparatus for use by babies and youngchildren alternately as a baby gym and as a baby walker, the apparatuscomprising:a support structure including a pair of spaced-apart sideframes and a transversely extending cross-piece, wheels mounted on saidside frames, said cross-piece being adjustable between an upper positionin which said cross-piece may be used to support playthings to therebyallow the apparatus to be used as a baby gym, and an alternate lowerposition in which said cross-piece braces said side frames, saidcross-piece extending generally co-axially with a forward pair of saidwheels when in said lower position to allow the apparatus to be used asa baby walker.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sideframes have abutment surfaces engaged by said arms when said cross-pieceis in said upper position, each abutment surface being inclined relativeto a plane of an associated side frame, said arms extending verticallyupwards so that the engagement of said abutment surfaces by said armscauses said side frames to incline toward one another.
 9. The apparatusas claimed in claim 8 including a detachable tray and handle adapted tobe mounted between said side frames when said cross-piece is in saidlower position.
 10. An apparatus for use by babies and young childrenalternately as a baby gym and baby walker comprising:a support structureincluding a pair of spaced-apart side frames and a transverselyextending cross-piece, wheels mounted on said side frames, the apparatusbeing usable as a baby gym in a first configuration and as a baby walkerin the second configuration, said cross-piece being of telescopicconstruction and extensible so as to vary the spacing between said sideframes, said cross-piece being adapted to support playthings in saidfirst configuration and to brace said side frames in said secondconfiguration, said arms extending generally upwards when saidcross-piece is in an upper position to support said cross-piece abovesaid side frames, and said arms extending obliquely downwards when saidcross-piece is in a lower position wherein said cross-piece ispositioned forwardly of a vertical center plane taken between andgenerally perpendicular to said side frames and braces said side frames.11. An apparatus for use by babies and young children alternately as ababy gym and baby walker comprising:a support structure including a pairof spaced-apart side frames and a transversely extending cross-piece,said side frames being provided with wheels and ground engaging abutmentportions, said cross-piece being supported on arms pivoted to said sideframes, said arms having a generally vertically upwardly extendingposition wherein said cross-piece is elevated above said side frames,said cross-piece being adapted to serve in said upwardly extendingposition as a support for playthings for a baby lying beneath saidcross-piece, said side frames and said arms having cooperating surfaces,said surfaces being so angled to cause said side frames to tilt towardseach other when said cross-piece is in said upwardly extending positionto cause said abutment portions to contact a support surface and therebyprevent the apparatus from moving on said wheels.